Rio Tinto Group's New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) stated that it is increasing its output and is being boosted by price rebounds, attracted global producers' willingness.

NZAS is located at southern tip of New Zealand's South Island and will restart the electrolysis cell that was sealed up six years ago. The electrolysis cell is a vessel that converts alumina into liquid aluminum by electricity.

After a few years ago, due to oversupply, the aluminum refinery has gradually increased its cost and shut down production. Recently, due to supply shortage, producers outside China have restarted production. In addition, global aluminum prices have increased by 35% compared with last year.

NZAS stated that the electrolysis tank will take 6 months to restart, and daily production volume will increase about 85tons, increasing total output by 9%.